Charles Band Digs up “Lost” Wizard Video Big Box VHS Collections

We got word today that Full Moon Features’ (Puppet Master, Subspecies, etc.) President Charles Band had recently unearthed an extensive collection of extremely rare oversize VHS packaging by Wizard Video. Band plans to sell these mint-condition collector’s items, starting on February 12th. Supposedly, these titles were found in one of his warehouses left over from the 1980’s. I don’t know if I buy the claim that he “found” these titles, knowing Band and his innovative marketing ploys. Whether or not the story is true, it’s still a worthy buy for horror collectors who are eager to own a piece of video history.

I lovingly remember all of these titles from the VHS video store era in the early 80’s and the artwork for each of these is nothing short of spectacular. I would love to have framed copies of each of these.

From The Press Release:

Horror legend and home video pioneer Charles Band had been putting off his warehouse cleaning for years. But during a recent overhaul of his extensive collection of collectibles, he unwittingly resurrected a veritable treasure trove of vintage horror limited-edition VHS boxes coveted by horror fans and serious collectors. Starting February 12, fans will be able to purchase these original boxes with authentically duplicated VHS copies inside – at an incredibly reasonable price.

“Back in the 80’s, I thought it would be cool to release these films in the oversize VHS boxes,” explained Band. “In the short term, it was very successful – but by 1982 the trend had run its course and the titles were reduced back to regular VHS dimensions.”

Band started Wizard Video in 1980, and was the first to release horror cult films such as Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and I Spit On Your Grave in the early days of home video.

“The kids who remember these oversized packages remember them fondly,” Band continued. “The release of this collection is for them.”

Over a span of 3-4 years, Wizard Video published eighty titles in the large-format boxes. Thirty-five years after the packaging’s popularity died out, Band and his excavation team uncovered the original big VHS boxes of thirty-six of these rare titles in mint condition, between two hundred to four hundred copies per title. Each box will be hand-numbered on the spine and autographed by Charles Band and will include an authentically duplicated VHS copy of the film inside of a clamshell holder. Band estimates that very few of these rare videos are still in print – and no more than 5-10 thousand units were manufactured at the time.

Also found in the collection were original boxes of the first horror video games on the planet, from Wizard Video’s sister company, Wizard Video Games. The Atari 2600 game boxes for Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Halloween will be released TBD 2013 from Full Moon. At the time of release, these titles were deemed too violent for children, and were either banned or sold by request-only, making them an extraordinarily rare find as well.

Website: www.Wizardvideocollection.com
For all other Full Moon information: www.Fullmoondirect.com

Every month beginning February 12, 4 titles will be on sale at $50/title.

Rollout schedule:

FEBRUARY 12
RETURN OF THE ZOMBIES
TRAUMA
OASIS OF THE ZOMBIES
DEMONIAC